Eraser appliance



Oct. 11, 1938. A. PESTEL 2,132,643

ERASER APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 6, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ll I IN'VENTOR Oct. 11, 1938.

A. PESTEL 2,132,643

ERASER APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 6, 1955 2 sheets sheet 2 Patented Oct. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE 11 Claimst This invention relates to eraser appliances-such as'eraser holders for pencils, writing pensand similar implements. The invention which in part is an improvement over my eraser holder, de-

scribed in U.'.S.j Patent No. 1,884,841 issued October 25, 1932, is especially related to eraser appliances as used inconnectionv with mechanical lead pencils. 1

Most of the common type wood pencils possess at one of their ends an eraser which however is 35 covered bythe cap or barrel of the pencil. The

reason for doing this is two-fold, in'that a covered eraser will keep clean and thatan unexposed eraser will not spoil the more or less pleasing appearance of the mechanical pencil itself.

The detrimental effect however in thus covering the eraser is, .that whenever the use of 'an eraser is required, the pencil cap has to be kept removed during the time of erasing, The result is, that the user of a mechanical pencil is quite often confronted with the necessity of handling two parts of the pencil while writing, leading thereby to inconveniencesor even irritations.

It is one of the main objects of this invention to provide an eraser on a writing implement, such 1 s as a mechanical pencil, fountain pen or any other suitable device, which eraser will permit its use while located at one end at the outside of such a device without requiring to keep parts separated from one another and without spoiling the appearance of such a device, norcausing'the eraser being soiled while not in use.

It is another object of this invention to provide an eraser appliance in a writing implement which permits the eraser to be reversible as well as extensible in its holder. I j' Y A further object is to'provide an eraser appliance on a mechanical pencil, which pencil would not alone comprise mechanisms for an adjustable and renewable pencil and an adjustable and renewable eraser, but would provide a storage chamber for separate eraser and pencil inserts as well.

Another object is to provide an eraser appliance which will provide rigid gripping means in a novel manner yet permit an easy adjustment of the eraser within its clip while the latter is removed from the holder.

A further object is to grip the eraser at a moment shortly before the gripping members are pushed home in the holder.

It is also an object to provide means whereby the eraser is definitely located in its clip in a lateral direction.

A further objectis to cover the. end of the magazine, retaining spare inserts. in a novel manner.

It is another object to provide novel means of locating the eraser clip in a lengthwise direction.

These and other objects which will be pointed out more specifically in the specification and claims, I attainby means of my invention disclosed in the drawings, wherein v Fig. 1 is a side View of a conventional type mechanical pencil, having at one of its ends a novel eraser attachment.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side View of part of'the mechanical pencil of Fig. 1, illustrating the attachment in detail and the eraser in its clip in a closed or inoperative position.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the pencil part shown in Fig. 2 on a plane at right angles to the plane of Fig. 2

Fig.4 is a part sectional side view'of the clip holder and clip stop assembled.

, Fig. 5 is-an end view of the assembly of Fig. n

on line 5-5 Fig. 4.

V Fig. 7 is a plan view of the eraser clip.

Fig. 8 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the eraser clip and Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the eraser clip on line Ill-ll] Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a partial sectionalside view of a modified eraser clip and Fig. 12 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 13 illustrates an end view of a modified form of a clip stop-and Fig. 14 is a side View thereof, partially in section.

Fig. 15 illustrates in section a modified form of an eraser appliance.

"Fig. 16 is a tubular reversible eraser appliance held at the end of the cap of a mechanical pencil.

The mechanical pencil l illustrated in Fig. 1 is of the conventional design and comprises a pencil insert-holding mechanism 2 in a tubular covering 3 of hard rubber or similar material. From this covering extends an inner metal tube 6, Fig. 2, rotatable therein and serving the well known purpose to adjust the pencil insert 1, while tube 6 is being turned. This tube is held covered by a cap 4 having a conventional clip 5 to secure the pencil to the pocket of the user.

The eraser appliance 10, forming a part with the pencil cap 4 may be of different design as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, Fig. 14 and Fig. 15.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 10, the eraser appliance [0 comprises in the main an eraser clip holder or socket ll, an eraser clip [2 with an eraser insert l5 and a stop member I6 for clip l2, all held in a cap or holder 4 of a writing implement I. Socket I l is held to cap 4 by means of threaded extensions of shoulder parts l1. Between these shoulder parts and through the opening l8 of the socket, the eraser clip I2 is held slidable. This provides a definite location and guidance of the clip in a lateral direction.

Stop member [6 which locates the eraser clip in a lengthwise direction comprises a body part 20 formed from a metal strip and having an in' wardly bent step formation 2|, to provide av stop for the clip and at the same time permit the protruding eraser l5 to pass between the steps. In opposite direction to the step formation body part 20 is provided with two extensions 22, preferably narrower than the metal strip of the body part. Extensions 22 have the approximate length of the threaded parts i l and are imbeded therein sumciently' deep to be flush with the inner surfaces 24 of these threaded parts. The grooves 25 may be circular and bored out as shown in Fig. 5. Tongues 23 which enter holes 26 in parts I1 serve the purpose to locate the clip stop in a lengthwise direction.

Eraser clip 12 which is bent out of or drawn from thinsheet of metal, comprisesin the main a closed end portion 21 and a tongue portion 28 holding the eraser. Each tongue 29 has an approximate channel-like cross section, in that the side edges or guide rails 30 thereof are turned over so as to stiffen the tongues and to cause a rigid grip on the eraser when in use. Edges, 3!} also serve the useful purpose to locate the eraser in a lateral direction, thereby preventing a displacement of same while the eraser clip is removed from its socket.

In order to provide a spring effect to tongues 29, circular, holes 3| are provided at'the point where end portion 21 and tongue portion 28 are joined, eliminating thereby part of the bent side edges 3|]. Each tongue 29 is provided with swellings 32 located on the top surfaces a certain disiance away from their ends. These swellings serve the purpose to press the tongues. against the eraser when in an operative position as shown in Fig. 1. If the clip is in an inverted'position as shown in Fig. 2, the swellings and respective tongues are located freely, not touching the compressing surfaces 24.

Raised portions 34, similar to swellings 32 are provided on the side edges of the clip and extend from hole 3| rearward. Portions 34 which are slightly lower than 32, serve the purpose to keep clip l2 under a slight amount of friction so as to prevent it from sliding when held in an inverted position. 7

In order to more easily extract the eraser clip from socket H, indentations or notches 33 are provided at the protruding side edges of both portions of the clip.

The modified eraser clip 35 illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 discloses oval tongues 29a to retain an eraser of an oval cross section, if so desired. A further modification is, that the front part 36 of each tongue is brought by a small amount closer towards the eraser, thereby providing a relief at the back portion of each tongue. This relief serves the purpose to facilitate a comparatively free and resistless movement of the eraser between the tongues at the rear portion of the clip. A further modification comprises an obtuse of mechanical pencils.

angle and therefore a gradual rise to the swellings 32a, so as to more evenly seat or push home the eraser clip and press its tongues tight against the eraser.

In the conventional type of mechanical pencils, the protruding magazine tube 6 supporting the pencil cap, Figs. 2 and 3, is usually provided at its open end with a stopper in form of an eraser, which not alone serves the purpose to provide means for erasing, but to also prevent the pencil inserts located in tube 6 from falling out, whenever cap 4 is being removed.

In the present invention the opening of tube 6 is covered by a thin metal cap 31. A V-shaped opening 38 provided in the wall of 'said tube, serves the purpose to permit the pencil inserts to be extracted therefrom, by placing the pencil in a sideways downward direction.

7 Should it be desirable not to employ a V- shaped opening, the open end of tube 6 may then be covered by a disc 39, secured to the clip stop I'Sa, Figs. 13 andl, which in every other respect is similar to that shown in Fig. 4.

The modified eraser appliance shown in Fig. 15 provides a socket Ila Without a thread. One of its shoulder parts 40 is connected with a rivet or other suitable means to a pencil clip 5a so as to definitely locate the socket Ha on cap 4a. To 'stop the eraser clip l2a in a longitudinal direction, the thin reenforcement tube 4!, usually provided in caps of mechanical pencils, has a part bent inward on an angle, so as to provide a tongue 42-serving as a positive stop against one of the ends of clip [2a. Guides 43 may be provided to locate the eraser clip laterally. They may also be formed from a part of tube 4| as plainly shown inthe drawings.

Near the inner end of the inverted eraser l5a is located a disc 45, pressed into, or secured in any other well known manner to the inner surface of tube 4|, indicating another way of preventing pencil inserts 46 located in the open magazine tube Ba from entering the eraser chamber. Within this chamber is also shown an eraser insert 15?), serving as a spare part to be applied after eraser 15a has beenworn to its minimum length. This spare part may be wrapped in a suitable covering, such as paper, if so desired, so as to prevent it being soiled by pencil inserts 46.

Fig. 16 illustrates a reversible eraser [50 held in a closed cylindrical tube 41, movable under friction in a socket llb, screwed into a cap 41). Tube 41 is definitely located in a lengthwise direction at its end by means of a cylindrical stop member 48, which may form a part with socket l lb if so desired. Within tube 4'! are pencil inserts, which may be removed after eraser I50 has been extracted from the end of the tube. The closed end of tube 41 is provided with a Wide groove 49, serving the purpose to facilitate a removal of the tube from socket Ill).

The type of mechanical pencils shown in Fig. 1, may also be referred to as a better or finished type Its covering has most generally a high class finish and design, having colors and shades of varying degrees to please the eye of its user. In order to still further enhance its beautiful and pleasing effect, the eraser insert can be furnished with a color or colors different from the conventional red or white. It may be selected to match and harmonize with the color and finish of the pencil to suit the individual taste of the buyer.

In the present invention of an eraser appliance the most prominent features disclosed are the attachment of an eraser mechanism or device to a mechanical writing implement; the provision of a spare eraser having a size to permit the same to be held in the magazine of the writing implement and the feature comprising the method of locating an eraser between movable elements of a clip and in pressing these elements tight against the eraser shortly before they are pushed home or seated in the holder.

Other important features are the definite location of an oblong eraser insert within its clip in a lateral direction and in providing notches or other gripping means to both ends of the clip to facilitate its extraction, as well as those various improvements which will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

The appliance here shown, may be varied in different ways, if so desired, it being understood for instance that the cross section of the eraser may be rectangular and the tongues of the eraser clip may be formed to suit and receive a rectangular channel, also that only one tongue need to have the lateral retaining flanges on the side edges, while the other could be flat throughout its inner surface.

The eraser appliance which is to serve a long desired want in the field of mechanical pencils of the finished type will not alone provide its user with a device of an extremely practical and useful nature, but one which will rather increase the desire for its possession because of its enhanced beauty.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An appliance of the character described, comprising a socket adapted to be retained at an end of a holder which forms a removable extension of a mechanical pencil and a reversible eraser clip adapted to extensively hold an eraser, said clip being insertable into said socket, to pass in part through said socket and into the hollow of the holder, while the eraser is held immovable in said clip.

2. An appliance of the character described, comprising a socket adapted to be retained at an end of a holder which forms a removable extension of a mechanical pencil and a reversible eraser clip insertable into said socket, to pass in part through said socket and into the hollow of the holder, said clip having tongues for adjustably holding an extensible eraser therebetween, the eraser being held immovable during insertion into said cap.

3. An appliance of the character described, comprising a socket adapted to be retained at an end of a holder which forms a removable extension of a mechanical pencil and a reversible eraser clip insertable into said socket, to pass in part through said socket and into the hollow of the holder, said clip having tongues for adjustably holding an extensible eraser there-between, the eraser being held immovable during insertion into said cap, and a stop member to locate said reversible clip in a lengthwise direction.

4. An appliance of the character described, having a holder and an eraser clip therein formed by a connecting end part and two tongues leading from said end part, said clip forming means whereby to house an eraser, each tongue being provided with guide rails to locate the eraser between said tongues in a lateral direction.

5. An appliance of the character described, hav- I ing a holder and an eraser clip therein formed by a connecting end part and two tongues leading from said end part, said clip forming means whereby to house an eraser, each tongue contacting the eraser, said clip being reversible in said holder and provided with guide rails to prevent a lateral shift of the eraser between said tongues.

6. An appliance of the character described, having a holder and an eraser clip therein formed by a connecting end part and two tongues leading from said end part, said clip forming means whereby to house an extensible eraser, each tongue having means whereby to maintain a laterally fixed position of the eraser between said tongues, said clip being reversible in the retaining means.

7. An appliance of the character described, having means to retain an eraser clip formed by a closed end part and two tongues leading from said end part, forming a means whereby to house an extensible eraser, said clip being provided at its ends with indentations for gripping purposes.

8. An appliance of the character described, having means to retain an eraser clip formed by a closed end part of substantial length in a longitudinal direction and two tongues leading from said end part, forming a means whereby to house an extensible eraser, each tongue being provided with smooth, inner surfaces contacting the extensible eraser, said clip being provided at its ends with indentations for gripping purposes.

9. An appliance of the character described, having means to retain an eraser clip formed, by a closed end part of substantial length in a longitudinal direction and two tongues leading from said end part forming a means whereby to house an eraser, said clip being provided at its end with indentations for gripping purposes, said tongues being formed to maintain a laterally fixed position of the eraser between said tongues.

10. An appliance of the character described having a holderand an eraser clamp therein for an-extensible eraser of substantial oblong crosssection, said clamp having elastic tongues, having guiding means at their side edges, to prevent the clamped eraser from shifting sideways while being operated.

11. An appliance of the character described having a holder and an eraser clamp therein for an extensible eraser of substantial oblong crosssection, said clamp having elastic tongues protruding from said holder, to grip the eraser a substantial distance therefrom, said tongues having guiding means at their side edges to laterally hold the clamped eraser at the protruding part of said clamp.

ARTHUR PESTEL. 

